San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) battles Dallas Mavericks center Samuel Dalembert (1) for a rebound in the first half of the NBA Western Conference Quarterfinals Game 1at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 20, 2014. The Mavericks lost to the Spurs 90-85. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News)

Conventional wisdom holds that Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is one of the most reviled figures in San Antonio sports history for his unsparing criticism of one of the city's beloved tourist attractions.

But Cuban said before Sunday's game that many Spurs fans he encounters in San Antonio actually share his disparaging view of the River Walk.

"I have fun with it," he said. "It's not like it's a serious subject. People who know me know I like San Antonio and always have."

So how did the river look when he arrived in town Saturday night?

“I’m assuming it was pristine,” he said. “It was dark, so it was hard to say, but I saw people with straws.”

Awaiting delivery: With two days off before Game 2, Spurs guard Manu Ginobili is anxious for the delivery of his third child, but not nearly as anxious as his wife, Many.

The couple has been told the new baby may arrive any day.

"We don't know for sure, but it could be (Monday)," Ginobili said after the 90-85 win over the Mavericks. "She is ready."

Ginobili is relieved the team will have two of the next four days off.

"Two now and two after (Game 2)," he said. "That really helps, so we'll see how it goes."

Game 1 importance: History points to the Spurs advancing to the second round after their win over Mavericks.

Teams that win Game 1 of a best-of-7 series have gone on to win the series 77 percent of the time (350-103). Teams possessing the home-court advantage that win Game 1 of a best-of-7 series have gone on to win the series 85 percent of the time (285-51).

Gone, not forgotten: Though he has departed the team, forward Damion James remains on the Spurs playoff roster.

The Spurs signed James for the final two games of the regular season after the 10-day deal he signed April 3 expired. The move allowed the club to retain his rights should they decide to put him on their summer league roster or bring him to training camp in September.

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